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State Dep’t Avoids Direct Criticism of Egypt’s New Islamist Constitution

Reacting Tuesday to passage of Egypt’s divisive new constitution, the
State Department chose not to directly criticize its Islamist
character, noting only that “[m]any Egyptians have voiced deep concerns”
and calling for peaceful dialogue.

“We hope those Egyptians disappointed by the result will seek more
and deeper engagement,” department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a
Christmas Day statement. “We look to those who welcome the result to
engage in good faith. And we hope all sides will re-commit themselves to
condemn and prevent violence.”
Over the weekend, in the second of two rounds of voting on the draft
constitution, 71 percent of those who voted, voted in favor, meaning
overall support for the charter was almost 64 percent, according to
unofficial results. Voter turnout was just 30 percent.

The outcome is a major victory for President Mohammed Morsi’s Muslim
Brotherhood, and for fellow Islamists in the fundamentalist Salafist
Nour movement.

“We cannot celebrate the trade of an authoritative regime for an
Islamic dictatorship,” U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairwoman
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said in response to the referendum outcome.Full article here